Gauge invariant definition of the jet quenching parameter $\hat{q}$

Abstract

We use the framework of Glauber extended Soft-Collinear Effective Theory to explicitly derive a gauge invariant expression of the jet quenching parameter $\hat{q}$. The effective theory approach offers a systematic power counting scheme at the Lagrangian level and allows for a consistent treatment of the relevant scales in the problem. Employing this approach in a covariant gauge scenario lead to an expression for $\hat{q}$ containing the expectation value of two light-cone Wilson lines. We find that in a general gauge, additional interaction terms in the Lagrangian have to be considered, leading to the introduction of transverse gauge links.